9 weeks from diagnosis to death

Hi, this is my first time posting on here. My grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer in September, sadly shortly after we found out she also had a tumour in her stomach and that there was no treatment available, she was 84. 4 weeks ago she became unwell and had to go into hospital, 5 days later she passed away, we were all with her when she passed, she was talking in the morning and by the afternoon she was completely unconscious and on a syringe driver, it was the worst 2 days of our lives. Finding it very surreal to deal wirh the fact that she's gone, we are a very close family and would be with her and my grandfather every day. Has anybody else had a simular experience, with only a few weeks between the diagnosis and death? 
thanks 

  • Hi Lucy,

    I am so so sorry to hear about your grandmother passing away.

     

    sadly I have a similar experience, my amazing dad passed away two weeks after diagnosis of a VERY rare form of cancer. My dad was at home with myself, my mum and my brother. Myself and mum are both nurses and my dad wanted us to look after him. We had district nurses we work alongside doing his syringe driver and he was well cared for. He passed away very suddenly and peacefully. I can't believe he has gone. He only passed away 9 weeks ago so it's all so raw.

    sending you and your family love at a time like this. 
     

    xx

  • Hi Lucy, so sorry to hear about your loss. I went though similar, my dad died 5 weeks after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. You've no time at all to get used to the shocking news, before they are gone. It's a double whammy. Be very kind to yourself and take all the time you need, there is so much processing to do. I am just over a year without my dad, we were very close and I still miss him every day. We are always here for you reach out to when you need to chat ️ 

  • Hi Angels, thank you for your reply. Really sorry to hear about your dad. If you don't mind me asking what cancer did he have? It's so nice that you were able to keep him home wirh your family. Unfortunately due to the lung CA my gran had to be taken into hospital as her symptoms of breathlessness were not manageable at home. I just want to forget how she was at the end as she wa such an independent and well lady before this happened. I hope you and your family are doing ok xx 

  • Hi Gabrielle. Thank you very much for your reply it means a lot and it's mice talking to people who know how your feeling. Cancer is such a horrible disease. So sorry to hear about your dad, do you find it easier to cope with now a year down the line even though you still miss him incredibly? 

  • Yep, 

    My lovely old Nanna. At aged 95, fit as a butchers dog, self caring in her own home , holidays etc.

    Then , in late august 3 yrs ago, she started to cough and cough........

    Had a load of scans etc diagnosed about 19th September. Lung and Bone. Admitted on 21st of September as couldn't stop coughing. Died very peacefully 2 days later. She was before that considering whether to have treatment or not.

    wow, it was such a shock as we weren't expecting it that quick.

    She  is missed by us all terribly , she was the family matrich, the Don' . Her house was the family 'hub' all info and instructions went in an out of her house.

    BUt, the strangest things happened. Her funeral was actually very enjoyable ( I have never been to such. a 'happy funeral' )She had decided what food was to be eaten at the wake and even 1 of the songs to be played at the crem. Get this, "Ring of fire", by Johnny Cash!!!! Everyone was smiling, some laughing. Some might say grossly inappropriate, but she decided to have the last laugh. It summed up her life really, which was " get on with it", what choice do we have. This comes from a lady who grew up in pretty grim poverty, one of 17 children, pretty harsh industrial area, but managed to go on holiday when she was 92, to the Grand Canyon- because she liked the look of it and was quite excited about all the duty free fags and whisky she could get (:

    When I remember her, when she comes into my thoughts, they always make me smile. I am smiling now, writing this.

    Doesn't make your loss any easier, but you will get there. Remember the 'happy time'

  • Hi , sorry to hear about your loss .

    My dad suffered the same a year ago , 9 weeks after being told he had OC cancer he died in the worse way possible , it still haunts me to this day .

    As far as i am concerned cancer treatment is terrible in this country , Covid is nothing in comparison ! 

    Still angry over how my dad was mis -diagnosed and treated , 69 years old healthy and 9 weeks of awful suffering !